Larry Pressler on Corporations

Former Republican Senator (SD)

Both parties beholden to corporate backers

In his Senate campaign debut Monday in Rapid City, Republican-turned-independent candidate Larry Pressler promised an end to the gridlock that has crippled Washington and left supporters of both parties apathetic with the two-party system.

"I think
we can change history in South Dakota and the United States with this campaign," he said. Pressler said he was choosing to run as an independent because he was disgusted by the changes within his former party and the Democratic Party since he left office

He said both parties had become increasingly beholden to corporate backers rather than constituents. He pointed to the influence of the insurance industry on health care reform and the success of military contractors in lobbying for
projects the Pentagon doesn't want. "We have this poisonous, locked political system in place," Pressler said. "And we can't get a budget. We can't get a farm bill."